COVID-19
Michael Jennings (Vaccination Champion)
LATEST COVID-19 NEWS
SPORTS' DAY
The St Fidelis Annual Sports' Carnival for students from Foundation - Year 6 will be held on Thursday 2 December 2021. The venue will be St Fidelis Primary School’s Benny Courts & Hawthorn Yards.
Details. You will find program details in the PE & Sport section of this newsletter.
Please note: School-run events exclusive to employees, students and visitors from a single school can occur, but are strongly encouraged to be held outside where possible.
These events must adhere to all QR code check-in and vaccination/status information
requirements for employees, other workers and visitors. We are aware that public gatherings and social occasions significantly increase the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
Due to the need to keep our community as safe as possible and the limited space at school where we are conducting this event, we are employing the following safety measures:
- One parent may attend.
- Adults must be fully vaccinated and be able to show proof of full vaccination.
- Parents will be required to sign in via QR Code and show proof of vaccination at entry points
- Entry points will be via Hawthorn Street and Benny Courts Gates
- Adults should continue keeping their distance from other people whenever possible. When we are around other people, it is important we practice physical distance.
- Maintain good hygiene. This includes washing your hands and covering your coughs.
FACE MASKS
For all school settings, the Victorian Chief Health Officer:
• Directs primary school students in Grade 3-6 to wear a face mask indoors at primary school (including in P-12 and specialist schools), including Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) programs, unless a lawful exception applies. Students must wear face masks even if vaccinated. (For composite classes that include students in and above Grade 3 and below Grade 3, those below Grade 3 are strongly encouraged to wear masks).
• Facemasks are not mandatory for students in Grade 3-6 and primary school staff when attending school camps or excursions, although mask use for this group is encouraged when physical distancing cannot be maintained indoors.
• Directs all persons to wear a face mask when travelling to and from school on public transport, taxis or rideshare vehicles.
• Directs school staff in primary schools (including P-12 and specialist schools) to wear a face mask in all indoor settings , except where removal of a face mask is necessary for effective communication.
• Directs visitors to primary schools to wear a face mask in all indoor spaces when attending the premises, unless a lawful exception applies.
• Strongly recommends students in Prep to Grade 2 to wear a face mask indoors at school or OSHC program.
• Strongly recommends students in Year 7 to Year 12 to wear a face mask indoors at school. Clear or transparent masks may offer some protection, and may be considered where there is a need to see facial expressions for communication and learning. These mask designs are not regulated, and correct fit and maintenance is required. It is not a mandatory requirement and their practical use is at the discretion of the school and teacher.
There are a number of lawful reasons for not wearing a face mask, including for staff and students who are unable to wear a face mask due to the nature of their disability, medical or mental health condition. Parent/carers of a student/s who meet the criteria for an exception must provide their approval in writing for their child/ren to not wear a mask to the school. There is no requirement for a letter for medical exception for not wearing a face mask from a medical practitioner.
Outside of lawful exceptions, schools must treat any deliberate and persistent noncompliance with the face masks direction as a serious matter. Usual school procedures for dealing with non-compliance with school rules should be followed.
A face mask must cover the nose and mouth. Face shields, scarves or bandanas do not meet these requirements.
MANAGEMENT OF AN UNWELL STUDENT AT SCHOOL
Students must stay home when unwell or if they may have been exposed to coronavirus in the past 14 days. It is important that any student who becomes unwell with COVID-19 symptoms while at school gets tested and returns home. We ask that parents/carers are as prompt as possible in attending the school to get your child tested.
Students are not required to present a medical certificate stating they are fit to return
to an education setting after a period of illness; however, students should not return
until symptoms resolve.
If they have been tested for COVID-19, they must also wait for a negative test result. The school would appreciate a message or proof of the negative result emailed to the school before the student returns to school.
Please keep your child home from school if he/she shows any of the following symptoms:
• loss or change in sense of smell or taste
• fever
• chills or sweats
• cough
• sore throat
• shortness of breath
• runny nose.
Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.